Pioneer, new tourism development project, to be launched in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Pioneer, the new tourism development project to be launched in Armenia, is a good form of alternative tourism which may contribute to the development of the sphere in the country, Mekhak Apresyan, Head of Economy Ministry's Tourism and Regional Economic Development Department, told a news conference on Monday. "Alternative forms of tourism are always actual and have great importance. "Arev", the first rock-climbing festival - is a serious step towards the promoting tourism development in Armenia," he said. "Adventure" tourism is a more effective way of developing the sphere in any country, including Armenia, he said.



In that connection, Apresyan noted that tourism development also required international community's interest. "Private sector representatives should be convinced that their participation is welcome and that particular form of tourism cannot develop without their active involvement," Head of Tourism Department said.



Recognized as a profitable form of sports worldwide, it will attract more tourists to Armenia and have an on-going impact on both internal and external tourism, as well as increase demand for implicated goods and services, Apresyan said.



Head of Up The Rocks organization Mkhitar Mkhitaryan noted in his turn that Armenia has potentials for the development of pioneer. "Due to our ties with international organizations, we studied possibilities for developing that form of sports in Armenia and hope to attain positive results," Mkhitaryan said, adding that their organization initiative of conducting an open festival RA Economy Ministry's approval. For the present moment, there are already 15 applications from Czech, Russian, American and Iranian professionals. As noted by Mkhitaryan, that form of sports is quite developed in Iran. Children aged 8-10 practice it. As regards Armenia, it is on a very low level of development here. There is just a small student amateur club which only conducts trainings.



Pioneer, according to Mkhitaryan, focuses on mountain slopes that haven't been studied so far. And because Armenia provides favorable conditions for mountain climbing, and many people are interested in that particular form of sport here, it may become bear traditional nature in future, enabling Armenian national team to participate in international competitions. "One of festival objectives is to encourage youth to lead healthy lifestyle," he said.



On July 1, Armenia will host "Arev" open rock climbing festival. The gorge of the river Hrazdan has been selected as a starting point. The climbers will then overcome obstacles in Noravank gorge, Ijevan mountain chain and the basalt mountains of Garni. At the end of the festival they will also visit Jermuk. On June 30-31, they are to spend their rest on the coast of Sevan.